Ekushey book fair set to start from Feb 15

Bangla Academy has decided to hold this year's Amar Ekushey Boi Mela from February 15, with the condition that all concerned with the fair will have to possess Covid-19 vaccine certificates.

Bangla Academy sent a letter to Academic and Creative Publishers Association of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Publishers and Book-Sellers Association, stating that the fair would be held from February 15 to 28.

The letter signed by academy Secretary AHM Lokman asked all writers, publishers, salespersons, officials and others involved with the fair to take their booster doses if needed.

The Publishers Association has forwarded the letter to all publishers.

Ittadi Grantho Prokash publisher Johirul Abedin and Nalonda Prakashani Publisher Redwanur Rahman confirmed that they received the letter yesterday.

"We expected that the fair would take place from the start of February. But now we will get some additional time for preparations. We believe that between this gap, the infection rate will decline," said Farid Ahmed, president of Academic and Creative Publishers Association and publisher of Somoy Prakashon.

Contacted, Bangla Academy Director General Mohammad Nurul Huda said they have sent a letter to all those concerned.

However, he also said, "Right now, I will not say when the book fair will begin."

He said the academy has contacted the DGHS to establish a Covid-19 vaccine booth. "They [DGHS] agreed that they will provide necessary support."

Fair authorities have already made primary preparations at Suhrawardy Udyan.

On January 16, the fair that was set to begin on February 1 was decided to be postponed for two weeks, due to the ongoing spike in Covid-19 infections.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid at that time said if cases are under control, one of the biggest cultural events in Bangladesh may start in the third week of February.

Although the fair starts on February 1 every year, the tradition was broken last year as well. It started on March 18 due to the pandemic and also ended early -- on April 12, instead of April 14 -- after the government enforced a countrywide lockdown around that time.